AN emergency control room has been set up to deal with the bad weather that is forecast for later this afternoon.

 
Emergency teams from the Department of Infrastructure have been deployed to the control room at Ellerslie for the next 24 hours.

 
Several two man teams will work until midnight. After this a second shift of 14 workers will continue. Further staff will be available if required.

 
Emergency teams will have a wide range of resources available to them including drain cleaning equipment, cranes, hoists, chainsaws, pumps, sweepers and a range of machinery including excavators.

 
Arrangements have also been made with the Forestry Division of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture should additional resources be required.

 
Key contacts have also been established in the MEA and the Fire and Rescue Service for operational requirements during the storm when winds are expected to reach 80mph.

The MEA have been on alert since last night in case of any issues with power outages caused by severe weather.

Police have advised residents to take the weather conditions seriously and to only make journeys which are completely necessary.

The Ellerslie Emergency Control Room can be contacted on 01624 672000.

To report any problems with your electricity supply call the 24 hour hotline on 01624 687687.

Also see: Public told to take weather conditions seriously

              Severe weather warning issued by Met Office